[New York], December 24, 2011 - Since 2005, Academy of Art University's School of Fashion has premiered the collections of recent graduates during New York Fashion Week.

Back for their 11th show during New York Fashion Week, Academy of Art University's School of Fashion once again impressed with their innovative and unique designs. A total of 15 designers who are recent graduates or current students from the school's MFA Fashion program showcased their collections at the Spring 2012 show.

As the only school to show at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, Academy of Art University offers its designers a chance to launch their collections on a runway watched around the world.

"Part of our commitment to the designers is to help launch their careers and have their collections seen by as many industry professionals as possible," said the President of Academy of Art University, Dr. Elisa Stephens.

"Debuting their collections during Mercedes- Benz Fashion Week at Lincoln Center is an incredible opportunity, especially since the national and international fashion community are gathered in New York City during that time."

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week used fashion illustrations by Gladys Perint Palmer, Executive Director of the School of Fashion at Academy of Art University, in the event branding by Almeter Design for the Spring 2012 shows at Lincoln Center. This was the second season as Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week used her illustrations for their Fall 2011 event branding. Photo: Photo Events NYC

This season's designers have been featured in a number of publications, including The New York Times, Women's Wear Daily and San Francisco's own 7x7 magazine.

Legendary fashion journalist Suzy Menkes, who has also been an honored guest at the School of Fashion's graduation fashion show, wrote of the show in The New York Times:

"The digital revolution has transformed both the fashion industry and pop culture. A new generation, familiar with the cyberworld, is pushing ahead. ... Hyper-modern fabrics are crucial to the evolution of fashion, and the material world of the Academy of Art University, based in San Francisco, proved how smart a new generation can be in refreshing the familiar."

Lisa Nguyen & Jen Chen

Lisa Nguyen, a Los Angeles, California native, earned her B.A. in Public Health at the University of California Berkeley, before switching career paths.

Lisa pursued her M.F.A. in Men's Wear Design. She collaborated with Jen Chen, M.F.A. Textile Design, on a collection inspired by the idea of intergalactic combat wear, creating pieces that are multi-functional and have a protective element using a combination of GORE-TEX®, ballistic nylon, cotton, and wool. Photos: Randy Brooke

Jen Chen grew up in Fremont, California, attending nearby University of California, Berkeley and earning a dual degree in Architecture and Asian Studies.

While pursuing her M.F.A. in Textile Design, she honed her skills as a Design Intern at Abercrombie & Fitch, and as a Textile Design Intern at Williams-Sonoma. She also participated in The Collaborative Print Project at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in 2010, and has designed a print for Azzedine Alaïa. She collaborated with Lisa Nguyen on this men's wear collection.Photos: Randy Brooke

Sun Young Youn

Sun Young Youn received a B.F.A. in Textiles and Fine Knits from Seoul Women's University. She interned at SH Fabrics and Celine in South Korea before pursuing her M.F.A. in Fashion Design. Her women's wear collection plays on the straight lines and geometric shapes of modern architecture. She juxtaposes beauty and function in the structure of her designs as well as in the fabrics, combining lace and vinyl. Photos: Randy Brooke

Juhyun Vivi Park

Juhyun Vivi Park is from Seoul, South Korea. Vivi was inspired by the gradients of Mark Rothko's paintings and the utilitarian fabrics used in traditional work wear for her collection. She had her linen fabrics stonewashed to achieve a worn aesthetic and added stitching details to the garments. Photos: Randy Brooke

Dipti Irla

Dipti Irla was born and raised in Maharashtra, India. Before coming to the School of Fashion to pursue her M.F.A. in Fashion Design, she earned an undergraduate degree in Fashion Design from the National Institute of Fashion Technology in Gandhinagar and worked in Mumbai as a designer. Dipti's collection is made of brocade fabrics from vintage Indian Sarees, and was inspired by the influence of British culture on India during the colonial period. Photos: Randy Brooke

David Doerr

David Doerr was born in Fresno, California and grew up in San Diego. He previously attended the University of California, Los Angeles, graduating in 2006 with a B.A. in History. In 2007, he was awarded second place for men's wear design at the 27th Annual Golden Scissors Fashion Show. David pursued a M.F.A. in Men's Wear Design. His debut collection is based on the adventures of Soviet Cosmonauts.Photos: Randy Brooke

Meredith Acton

Meredith Acton was born and raised in Massachusetts. After completing her B.A. in Apparel Design and Retailing, she went on to intern at Michael Azu London, Hasbro, and the Boston Ballet, before pursing her M.F.A. in Fashion Design in the School of Fashion. Meredith was inspired by Lewis Hine's investigative photography of child laborers in the early 1900s. Photos: Randy Brooke

About Academy of Art University
With more than 17,000 students, Academy of Art University is the nation's largest private art and design university. Established in 1929, the school offers accredited A.A., B.A., B.F.A., M.A., and M.F.A. programs in Acting, Advertising, Animation & Visual Effects, Architecture, Art Education, Fashion, Fine Art, Game Design, Graphic Design, Illustration, Industrial Design, Interior Architecture & Design, Landscape Architecture, Motion Pictures & Television, Multimedia Communications, Music Production & Sound Design for Visual Media, Photography, and Web Design & New Media. Online degrees are offered in most areas. Academy of Art University is an accredited member of WASC (Western Association of Schools and Colleges), NASAD, and Council for Interior Design Accreditation (BFA-IAD)...click here for more info

Academy of Art University
School of Fashion
79 New Montgomery Street
San Francisco, CA 94105
Visit www.academyart.edu or call 800.544.2787 (U.S. only) or 415.274.2200

About The School of Fashion
Over 2,700 fashion students study under the guidance of experienced fashion professionals in the School of Fashion, which houses the following areas of specialization: Fashion Design for Women's Wear, Men's Wear, and Children's Wear; Technical Design; Textile Design; Knitwear Design; Accessory Design; Fashion Illustration; Fashion Journalism; Fashion Marketing; Fashion Merchandising; and Visual Merchandising.